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Round holes and square pegs

If we look at the building blocks of early child development, then learning about shapes and colours is one of the integral concepts for kids to grasp.

And it’s not so your child can keep up with the junior Jones’s in playgroup or parrot something impressive to the grandparents. This kind of learning helps children understand, explain and categorise the world around them. Being able to differentiate between colours and shapes are fundamental tools for much of the school-based learning from maths and science to language and reading.

When should they know?

Research suggests that children can start to recognise different colours, and even start showing preferences, at around 18 months. At about the same time they begin to notice similarities and differences in shape. They will be around three years old before they start naming the colours and shapes, and they they’ll probably know only one colour and shape. Don’t panic if it takes them a bit longer.

What parents can do to help

Mums and dads can do what they’re usually doing anyway from the moment their bub is born – describing the world around their tot.

When they’re very little keep it simple and maybe compare objects such as a green leaf and the green in a piece of clothing they’re wearing. They’ll be closer to school age before they really start thinking in shades and tones.

It’s the same with shapes – keep it simple; littlies probably don’t need to be able to distinguish between an oblong and a rhombus until they’re well into school, if then.

Sonja Walker* says kids will just love learning about shapes and colours from their mums and dads, particularly if it involves one-on-one time and your undivided attention.

“When you’re reading to your child, drawing with your child or even going about your household tasks point out colours and shapes to your child,” she suggests. “As they get older, ask them if they know the colour or the shape.”

Great props for learning shapes and colours

Early childhood experts have these suggestions for parents wanting to help their kids learn all about shapes and colours.

Shape sorters: It’s like the staple toy in every toy box – some kind of toy that requires placing a certain shaped block into the right shaped hole. These provide hours of fun and will start being used not long after the first birthday.

Play-Doh and cutters – this package covers both colours and shapes. Play with your child as she cuts out the yellow circle or the red square, over and over.

Read shape and colour books: Yep, there are books devoted to teaching kids about shapes and colours in interesting ways. But lots of books, particularly ones for little kids, provide many opportunities to point out shapes and colours.